03A3 Springfield

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

I have an oppurtunity to pick up a couple of 03s for a good price that some one started to sporterize. they have not been drilled or tapped and have new barrels. Are 03's good canidates for custom rifles? I have not seen alot of parts for them or barrells threaded for them. I just want to build some decent shooting sporter 1 MOA or less. How fast is the lock time on an 03?

Thanks for the Help

 

[GerryM]

The lock time is a bit slow compared to a new bolt rifle. You can get a different firing pin spring fron wolf to speed thing up a bit.
The reason you don't se alot of barrels made for them is the square type of barrel threads, { like the garand threads.
If it's modified Bent bolt and oter mods like magazine change etc , then go ahead. The other way is to put it back to original if you can get the parts. The springfied is worth pretty fair money today.
Most people stoped altering them quite a while ago due to the expence
After all of the modification it would be less expensive to buy a factory rifle . I had one that i did a minor modification to It had a douglas barrel and a fajen stock, bent bolt handle and a set of after market sights on. It shot very very well.

 

[krxm21]

You may be better off selling them or trading for a Remington.
Like my 700 or XP100 for example.
Kent

 

[fdshuster]

Hack: They are worth more if kept as close to original as possible. Current value of an original is in the $750 to $850 neighborhood. Value of a chopped-up "sporter"? You'll see them at the gunshows for "make an offer". Lock time is definately a problem, the receiver is really long, built for the 30-06, so if you chamber for a 243 (for example) way too long of a receiver. If you want to build a sporter, you can pickup a nice, older Rem. 700 (short-action if doing something like the 243), for around $350/ $400 from a private owner. Excellent after-market triggers, stocks, scope mount base's etc. available for the Remington, that are not available for the 03-A3. I was fortunate to purchase a 03-A4 from the DCM in 1964 for $14.50, shipping included, still have it "as issued". Want to bet what it's worth today?

 

[harry.hacking@kiewit.com]

One is in 308 with a bad stock, the other is in 280 AI some bits and pieces need some work. $300 for the pair and the 280AI also has an unfinished stock. I have built a couple of mausers a 6mm AI and a 6.5x284 great learning experience and a couple of very nice sporters. The work doesn't really scare me but the availability of parts does. I would like to rebarrel and rechamber the 308 into a long action cartridge. For the price I don't think I could go wrong, as long as I can find a barrel maker that threads for these.

 

[fdshuster]

Hack: When they were selling for $20, back in the 60's, I "sporterized" a Smith Corona 03-A3 (dumb I know, but who was to know what they would be worth in the future?), and over the years it was fitted with: a Douglas chrome moly in 243. A stainless Shilen, also in 243. A Shaw in 250 Savage. Another 250 Savage with a Krieger. And finally a stainless Shilen in 6mm22-250. 3 different local very experienced 'smiths did the work and none had a problem with the military square threads. Over-all, the rifle never did shoot to expectations. Would hold under moa with 3 shots, seldom with 5. Had been advised by many that it would always be a mediocre rifle and they were all correct.